NeilDiamond

Neil Diamond,Mary J. Blige,Usher and others performed for President Barack Obama during the 28th annual 'Christmas in Washington' holiday concert. Obama offered season's greetings to the nation, as well as special well-wishes to American men and women in the armed forces serving overseas.

"As so many of our fellow citizen struggle through tough times, we are called upon to help neighbors in need," Obama said. "And it's why, with our men and women in uniform serving far from home in harm's way, our fervent wish remains this season, and all seasons, let there be peace on Earth."

If I were Adam Sandler, I would be peeing my pants right now. I also wouldn't be wasting my day whining about primetime game shows and getting fat from sitting in front of my computer twelve hours a day. And I'm sure I'd have an official "pants guy" who could provide me with a pair of pee-stain-free pants at the push of an intercom button.

Holy music uber-god Neil Diamond has resurrected Sandler's famed "Chanukah Song," a song first made famous during his stint on Saturday Night Live, in a cover song for his new Christmas album A Cherry, Cherry Christmas. He also put together an animated video of the Chanukah carol that's not only hilarious, but marks the first and last time the world will see a collaboration involving Diamond, William Shatner and OJ Simpson, until, of course, the fourth Naked Gun movie gets a green light.

We scoured the earth (and the archives at various record companies for failed projects that showed vocal promise) to create the greatest assemblage of singing talent American Idol has ever seen! So what happened? After last year's virtual snooze-fest, how did a season that truly did give us perhaps the greatest depth of talent we've ever seen (an argument could be made for Season Five) give us such lackluster shows?

After Sanjaya-gate last year, the biggest controversy to come out this year was that finalist David Hernandez used to be a stripper and David Archuleta's dad might be a Mr. Meany-Pants. And we got to be pissed that Kristy Lee Cook outlasted the likes of Michael Johns. Not until we got to the finale of Davids did things get really intense.

(S07E35) Hey look, another mentor that's a solid hundred years older than every single contestant. But Neil Diamond's still a cool cat so I forgive him. Oh and what do you know? Neil has an album, Home Before Dark, coming out next week. I'm sure that's just a coincidence. He really did the show because he enjoys it and truly wants to help the contestants. Not to promote an album. That Neil he's a swell guy. Why don't you drop by tonight and chat us up about it in our live chat?

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.